Real-life examples of annual home inspection checklist examples homeowners actually use

Room-by-room examples of annual home inspection checklist examples

Let’s start with what most people actually want to see: real examples of annual home inspection checklist examples that you can copy and tweak. Instead of a giant abstract list, imagine walking through your home once a year with a simple printed sheet or a notes app.

Here’s how an example of an annual home inspection checklist might look when you move through the house room by room.

In the kitchen, the checklist might say:

• Open every cabinet and look for water stains, bubbling paint, or soft wood under sinks.
• Check the dishwasher supply line and drain hose for cracks or leaks.
• Inspect the refrigerator water line (if you have one) and clean the coils on the back or bottom.
• Test GFCI outlets near the sink with the “test” and “reset” buttons.

In bathrooms, the examples include:

• Run water in sinks, tubs, and showers while checking underneath for drips.
• Look for cracked grout or missing caulk around tubs and showers.
• Flush toilets and check the base for movement, leaks, or soft flooring.
• Turn on exhaust fans and confirm they vent properly and aren’t noisy or weak.

Living areas and bedrooms often get ignored, so good examples of annual home inspection checklist examples also include simple tasks like:

• Look along baseboards and window trim for gaps, drafts, or insect activity.
• Open and close every window to confirm they move smoothly and lock properly.
• Check ceilings and upper walls for stains that might signal a hidden roof or plumbing leak.
• Test every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm.

None of this requires special tools, just a bit of patience and a willingness to notice small changes before they become big repairs.

Exterior-focused example of an annual home inspection checklist

The outside of the house is where many expensive problems start, so some of the best examples of annual home inspection checklist examples put the exterior first. Picture an inspector—or you, with a clipboard—slowly circling the property.

A practical exterior checklist example of what to look for includes:

• Roof: From the ground, scan for missing, curled, or damaged shingles; check for sagging areas or exposed nail heads. Use binoculars if needed, but don’t climb if it isn’t safe.
• Gutters and downspouts: Look for sagging sections, rust, or seams pulling apart. Make sure downspouts carry water at least several feet away from the foundation.
• Siding: Walk the perimeter and look for cracks, warped panels, peeling paint, or gaps around windows and doors.
• Foundation: Look for new cracks, bulging, or areas that stay damp. A hairline crack that hasn’t changed in years is different from a fresh, widening crack.
• Grading and drainage: Confirm soil slopes away from the house so water doesn’t pool near the foundation.
• Decks and porches: Press on railings to see if they wobble, look for rot where wood meets the ground or house, and check for loose boards.

These examples of annual home inspection checklist examples are especially helpful in climates with heavy rain, snow, or big temperature swings, because exterior wear accelerates with harsh weather.

For more on moisture and drainage concerns around the home, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers homeowner guidance on moisture control and mold prevention: https://www.epa.gov/mold

Systems and safety: the best examples most people forget

When people ask for examples of annual home inspection checklist examples, they usually think of roofs and walls. The quiet workhorses—electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and safety systems—are easier to forget, but they matter just as much.

A strong systems-focused example of an annual home inspection checklist might include:

Electrical system

Walk room to room and:

• Test every light switch and outlet. If any spark, feel loose, or get warm, note them for an electrician.
• Check for overloaded power strips or daisy-chained extension cords.
• Open the main electrical panel door and look (without touching) for scorch marks, rust, or labels that don’t match what’s actually in the house.

HVAC and ventilation

Good examples include simple annual tasks like:

• Replace or clean furnace and AC filters on a schedule (often every 1–3 months, but at least review annually).
• Look at supply and return vents for dust buildup or blocked airflow.
• Listen to the system cycle on and off; note loud bangs, squeals, or short-cycling.
• Check around the furnace and water heater for rust, leaks, or scorch marks.

For safe operation of fuel-burning appliances and carbon monoxide awareness, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has homeowner guidance here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center

Plumbing and water system

Examples include:

• Inspect exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, and under sinks for corrosion, mineral buildup, or slow drips.
• Look at the water heater for rust at the base, water stains, or a constantly wet pressure relief discharge pipe.
• Test water pressure at a faucet; extremely high or low pressure can signal issues.

Safety checks

Some of the best examples of annual home inspection checklist examples put safety on its own page:

• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms using the test button; replace batteries if needed. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends replacing smoke alarms every 10 years: https://www.nfpa.org
• Confirm you have a fire extinguisher on each level, check the pressure gauge, and make sure you know how to use it.
• Verify clear paths to exits—no blocked doors or windows painted shut.
• Review family emergency plans and meeting spots.

These aren’t fancy upgrades; they’re simple habits that protect your home and the people in it.

2024–2025 examples include smart tech and energy efficiency

Annual home inspection habits are changing. Newer examples of annual home inspection checklist examples now include technology and energy questions that barely existed 10–15 years ago.

Here is an example of how a 2024–2025 checklist might expand beyond basic structure and systems:

Smart devices

• Confirm smart smoke alarms, leak detectors, and security cameras are online, updated, and sending alerts to the right phones.
• Review access to smart locks—remove codes or digital keys for former guests or contractors.
• Check Wi‑Fi routers and mesh systems for firmware updates and secure passwords.

Energy use and comfort

• Walk around on a cold or hot day and feel for drafts near windows, doors, outlets on exterior walls, and attic hatches.
• Look at your utility bills from the past year. A sudden unexplained spike can be an inspection clue.
• Inspect attic insulation depth and coverage if accessible; thin or patchy spots can explain high heating or cooling costs.

The U.S. Department of Energy offers homeowner guidance on insulation, air sealing, and home energy audits here: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver

These modern examples of annual home inspection checklist examples help you catch both safety issues and slow, expensive energy leaks.

Seasonal timing: using examples of annual home inspection checklist examples across the year

You don’t have to do everything in one exhausting weekend. Some of the best examples break the annual home inspection checklist into seasonal passes.

An example of a yearly rhythm might look like this:

• Late winter / early spring walkthrough: Focus on roof, gutters, siding, and foundation after snow, ice, or heavy rain. You’re checking for winter damage and early signs of water intrusion.
• Summer check: Look at decks, exterior paint, caulking, and yard drainage during storms. Test outdoor GFCI outlets and inspect hose bibs and irrigation systems.
• Fall inspection: Prepare for cold weather by checking weatherstripping, attic insulation access, heating system readiness, and chimney or flue condition if you use a fireplace.

You’re still using the same examples of annual home inspection checklist examples, but spreading them out so they feel manageable. This approach is especially helpful for larger homes or for homeowners who prefer short, repeatable routines.

Real examples from different types of homes

Not every house needs the same checklist. A condo in the city, a 1950s ranch in the suburbs, and a rural farmhouse all have different risk points. Here are a few real-world style examples of annual home inspection checklist examples tailored to common situations.

Example: Small condo or apartment

• Focus heavily on interior plumbing, electrical, windows, and doors.
• Check for moisture or mold around exterior walls and near shared plumbing stacks.
• Test all GFCI outlets and alarms.
• Coordinate with the building association for roof, exterior, and common area checks.

Example: 1990s suburban single-family home

• Inspect asphalt shingle roof for age-related wear and granule loss.
• Look at vinyl siding for cracks and gaps at corners and around penetrations.
• Check garage doors, sensors, and auto-reverse function.
• Review tree branches near the roof and power lines; plan trimming if needed.

Example: Older home (pre-1978) with possible lead paint

• Inspect painted surfaces for peeling, chipping, or chalking, especially near windows and doors.
• Check for older plumbing fixtures that may contain lead.
• Keep an eye on basement or crawlspace moisture and older wiring.

For more on lead paint and older homes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has homeowner resources: https://www.epa.gov/lead

These real examples of annual home inspection checklist examples show that the core idea is the same—look for water, movement, wear, and safety issues—but the details shift with the age and style of the home.

How to build your own checklist from these examples

At this point, you’ve seen several examples of annual home inspection checklist examples: room-by-room, exterior, systems, tech, seasonal, and home-type specific. Turning them into a personal checklist is easier than it looks.

Start by walking your home once with a notebook or notes app open. As you move through, use the examples in this article as prompts:

• In each room, ask: Where could water get in? Where could someone get hurt? What here would be expensive to replace?
• Outside, ask: What’s exposed to weather? Where does water go when it rains? What looks different from last year?
• In systems areas (mechanical room, laundry, attic), ask: What looks rusty, stained, or out of place? What sounds or smells off?

As you answer those questions, you’re building your own example of an annual home inspection checklist tailored to your house. You can then sort those notes into sections that make sense for you—maybe by room, maybe by season, maybe by priority.

The goal is not to copy someone else’s checklist word for word. It’s to use these real examples of annual home inspection checklist examples as training wheels until your own list fits your home like a glove.

FAQ: Examples-focused questions about annual home inspections

Q: What are some simple examples of items to include on an annual home inspection checklist for beginners?
For a starter list, focus on easy wins: test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check under every sink for leaks, look at ceilings for new stains, walk around the outside to spot damaged siding or missing shingles, and verify that doors and windows open, close, and lock properly. These basic examples of annual home inspection checklist examples already catch a surprising number of problems early.

Q: Is there an example of a digital or app-based annual home inspection checklist?
Yes. Many homeowners now use generic note-taking apps or task managers (like Google Keep, Apple Notes, or Todoist) to recreate these examples. They set yearly recurring tasks such as “Inspect roof from ground,” “Test GFCI outlets,” or “Check water heater for rust.” You can copy the best examples from this article into an app and add photos of trouble spots so you can compare changes year to year.

Q: How often should I update my own checklist examples?
Review your list at least once a year. If you add a new deck, replace a roof, install a sump pump, or upgrade to smart alarms, update your checklist to match. Your first version is just that—an example of a starting point. Over time, your list should reflect the actual systems and quirks of your home.

Q: Do I still need a professional inspector if I use these examples of annual home inspection checklist examples?
A homeowner checklist is a great habit, but it doesn’t fully replace a trained inspector, especially before buying or selling a home, or if you suspect a serious structural, foundation, or moisture problem. Your annual checklist helps you catch obvious issues early and gives a pro a head start by showing what you’ve already noticed.

Q: What is an example of something most homeowners miss on their annual inspection?
Two big ones: attic spaces and dryer vents. Many people never look in the attic, where you can spot roof leaks, poor insulation, and even pests. Dryer vents, if clogged, can become a fire risk. Adding both to your personal examples of annual home inspection checklist examples is a small step that can prevent big headaches.